Last week the Army awarded Boeing Company a $36 million contract to continue with the development of high energy tactical lasers. Integrated Defense Systems, a subsidiary of Boeing, is aiming to have this 35-plus ton truck equipped with a “friggin laser beam” to be battlefield ready by 2013. This mobile laser cannon will have the ability to destroy rockets, artillery rounds, and mortar shells in flight.

Although I thought this technology was new, I soon discovered that this was not the case. About six years ago, Integrated Defense Systems released plans that they were working on an Airborne Laser (ABL) that would be attached to the front of a Boeing 747 (YAL-1). Eventually, the project became a joint venture between the US Air Force, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman. While the YAL-1 still has not fired a shot at maximum density, the YAL-1 has proven to be successful in tracking and targeting with the laser.

The test validated the system’s ability to track an airborne target and measure and compensate for atmospheric distortion.

I found a great clip on how this laser works. Enjoy.